Arvi River Project

Revival of Arvi river and improving ground water reserves through artificial recharge methodology.

Overview

Agriculture is the prime occupation in rural India and the geographical diversity is truly a blessing as it offers a variety of produce. Agriculture is directly dependent on water and groundwater supply contributes more than 85% of rural India’s needs for irrigation. However, the ground water resources are depleting fast in many areas due to large scale withdrawal over the past few decades.

IIFL Foundation partnered with Maharashtra State Government to rejuvenate Arvi river and its tributaries in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. The methodology of artificial recharge was deployed to improve ground water conditions.

Our impact

6,564 hectares

Geographical area covered

16 Beneficiary

villages

6,400

Individual beneficiaries

3,436 hectares

Cultivated Land

890 hectares

Irrigated Land

Process

At Wardha, a team of experts was appointed to conduct a Hydrogeological investigation of the project area for determining the scope of implementing an artificial groundwater recharge activity. The study showed that construction of Nala Traverses by adopting a ridge to valley approach would be the most suitable and beneficial method for increasing groundwater reserves. The development project included widening and deepening of the river, creating artificial tributaries and building gabions to hold the water.

Excavators were deployed to clear the area and dig trenches up to 22 km. The work was completed in two phases, accomplishing 60% of activity during the pre-monsoon phase. On the arrival of monsoon, the foundation was tested, checking the stability of accomplished work and the overall hold of the water.

Post-monsoon, finishing touches were provided, rejuvenating Arvi river and its new tributaries. Currently, the river rejuvenation is helping over 16 villages around the district, supporting irrigation and domestic purposes.